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ANIELA: Prelude to the Apprentice's Notebook Series
There is something so dark, and yet so fantastical, about a Slavic fairytale. It tugs at our morbid sensibilities, begging us to read on, to walk the plot. Aniela knows this, too. She uses it. A shape-shifting demon, Aniela will borrow heavily from the annals of Eastern European lore to weave a story of her own – one specially designed to entrap her prey. Soon, however, that prey will find her chapters becoming progressively more sinister. They may even look for a way out… but there isn’t one.
College student Sam Valente knows this all too well. Initially lured in by the promise of otherworldly mentorship from a seemingly benign entity, he quickly finds himself compelled to enact Aniela’s fantasies of murder and mutilation. Any attempt to refuse will be met with the brutal killing of a loved one. Sam’s only choice is to skirt the line – placating the demon while still trying desperately to reclaim his own life. This leads him to the brilliantly bizarre Emery Loudon, a psychiatrist who specializes in the supernatural. Together, they will walk a precarious path through paranormal case histories, Slavic mythology, and consciousness-elevating hypnosis – all in the name of forcing an alternate ending to Aniela’s sordid plot. How many people will have to die before they succeed? That is… if they succeed.
College student Sam Valente knows this all too well. Initially lured in by the promise of otherworldly mentorship from a seemingly benign entity, he quickly finds himself compelled to enact Aniela’s fantasies of murder and mutilation. Any attempt to refuse will be met with the brutal killing of a loved one. Sam’s only choice is to skirt the line – placating the demon while still trying desperately to reclaim his own life. This leads him to the brilliantly bizarre Emery Loudon, a psychiatrist who specializes in the supernatural. Together, they will walk a precarious path through paranormal case histories, Slavic mythology, and consciousness-elevating hypnosis – all in the name of forcing an alternate ending to Aniela’s sordid plot. How many people will have to die before they succeed? That is… if they succeed.
153 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2021
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
William Presley
3 books7 followersRaised in Michigan, William Presley is now a graduate student in human genetics who spends all of his time outside of the lab desperately hocking his fiction at anyone who will have it. He is also an avid hoarder of Victorian furniture and country vinyl that few others would consider 'music.' Hopefully one day, someone besides his hedgehog will enjoy something he's written.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 30, 2021
This was a short horror Slavic fairytale story, fast pace about Polish version of the vampire, shapeshifting demon, and sort of owl from hell.
Sam is a writer and curious about a dark tale that put him in one! Aniela is a dead witch old lady (not quite dead) who asks Sam to kill for her, Well not ask, force him. Now Sam should kill for her but he's not evil like her. He seeks help priest and a psychiatrist, Dr. Loudon. Dr. Loudon saw Aniela's victims before and tries to save Sam from her.
Thanks to booksirens, I received an advance review copy of ANIELA: Prelude to the Apprentice's Notebook Series by William Presley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sam is a writer and curious about a dark tale that put him in one! Aniela is a dead witch old lady (not quite dead) who asks Sam to kill for her, Well not ask, force him. Now Sam should kill for her but he's not evil like her. He seeks help priest and a psychiatrist, Dr. Loudon. Dr. Loudon saw Aniela's victims before and tries to save Sam from her.
Thanks to booksirens, I received an advance review copy of ANIELA: Prelude to the Apprentice's Notebook Series by William Presley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2021
I received an e-Galley ARC of Aniela: Prelude To The Apprentice’s Notebook Series, authored by William Presley, cover design by BetiBup, from publisher Little Demon Books, for review consideration. What follows is my honest review, freely given.
I rated this novella 5 stars. This is the first novella release for LDB, with novels planned in the future as well; horror and dark fiction belongs to small and indie publishers in 2021, and I am 100% here for it. It has been a glorious buffet of literary delight thanks to those willing to fight for new voices, such as Little Demon Books, and I salute you.
If this was just the prelude to the rest then let me just say officially, I am chomping at the bit to continue The Apprentice’s Notebook Series! Folktale horror in a modern setting is a favorite of mine, folktale horror in any age setting is a favorite tbh, and Aniela doesn’t shy away from going hard in an already dark story. And Sam, sweet Sam, he is the reader in all of us, full of knowledge and still ready to sprint into danger without a backwards glance until it’s too late. I think he is the proper representation we need in movies and novels, not tripping teenagers with dead smartphones. I know all the signs of vampire, from several different authors’ interpretations; I would still investigate if I thought one lived in my building, probably dying in the process. I’m saying, Sam, I understand and I think most of the readers will understand as well. You are our mascot.
When Sam visits Korzewicz, there is a phrase spoken in Polish; for fun I used Google translate… to translate… and it seemed to work! Not going to share because, spoilers, but it’s really cool and I would suggest trying it out for yourself. Unless you happen to know Polish already. Emery Loudon’s school of thought on spectral baddies and the like was really interesting to me, bringing a unique spin to the genre. There’s this show, Evil (2019), where the Catholic church investigates possessions and stuff to see if it’s really church related or psychiatric related. That show plus the X-Files, with some Jim Butcher feel thrown in, with no cap on scares or violence; you get a glimmer of what this novella delivers, and why I am excited for the series. Bloody good read.
I rated this novella 5 stars. This is the first novella release for LDB, with novels planned in the future as well; horror and dark fiction belongs to small and indie publishers in 2021, and I am 100% here for it. It has been a glorious buffet of literary delight thanks to those willing to fight for new voices, such as Little Demon Books, and I salute you.
If this was just the prelude to the rest then let me just say officially, I am chomping at the bit to continue The Apprentice’s Notebook Series! Folktale horror in a modern setting is a favorite of mine, folktale horror in any age setting is a favorite tbh, and Aniela doesn’t shy away from going hard in an already dark story. And Sam, sweet Sam, he is the reader in all of us, full of knowledge and still ready to sprint into danger without a backwards glance until it’s too late. I think he is the proper representation we need in movies and novels, not tripping teenagers with dead smartphones. I know all the signs of vampire, from several different authors’ interpretations; I would still investigate if I thought one lived in my building, probably dying in the process. I’m saying, Sam, I understand and I think most of the readers will understand as well. You are our mascot.
When Sam visits Korzewicz, there is a phrase spoken in Polish; for fun I used Google translate… to translate… and it seemed to work! Not going to share because, spoilers, but it’s really cool and I would suggest trying it out for yourself. Unless you happen to know Polish already. Emery Loudon’s school of thought on spectral baddies and the like was really interesting to me, bringing a unique spin to the genre. There’s this show, Evil (2019), where the Catholic church investigates possessions and stuff to see if it’s really church related or psychiatric related. That show plus the X-Files, with some Jim Butcher feel thrown in, with no cap on scares or violence; you get a glimmer of what this novella delivers, and why I am excited for the series. Bloody good read.
July 8, 2021
5/5 stars
"There’s nothing wrong with emptiness"
I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Booksirens and Little Demon Books publisher for the ARC!
I just finished reading this sort of prelude and I need a second to process everything.
Wow.
Just… so good.
I really enjoyed it. It's was quite short and fast-paced, and when I reached the last page I actually kind of wanted to keep reading more.
Something that made me want to review this in the first place was the folklore horror in the tags. I loved the bits of Slavic mythology, that was so intriguing and captivating. It actually made me want to dig up and read more about the topic. At some point, I even found myself looking for pictures of pierogis and then craving some. Too bad I don't have those around hah.
It's been a long time since I've read horror and this book reminded me why I love it. The author really managed to set the dark tone and ambience. I couldn't put this down at all, that's why I finished it so quickly.
Another thing that I liked was that this prelude not only is pure unadulterated horror and graphic scenes but there were moments that managed to make me laugh along with the characters, some scenes that made me gasp, and yeah, others just made me stare in horror at the screen. So good.
The witch was so well written because every time she made an appearance I tried to prepare myself for what was about to happen (and failed awfully). She's so creepy and disgusting.
“I put the knob in your hand, but you could not open the door. Now you find a different door.”
The way it was solved was also so original in my opinion? I was not expecting any of it, it surprised me in a good way. I found it refreshing.
I'm so thankful I received this ARC. I will be definitely looking forward to the next part in the series!
"There’s nothing wrong with emptiness"
I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Booksirens and Little Demon Books publisher for the ARC!
I just finished reading this sort of prelude and I need a second to process everything.
Wow.
Just… so good.
I really enjoyed it. It's was quite short and fast-paced, and when I reached the last page I actually kind of wanted to keep reading more.
Something that made me want to review this in the first place was the folklore horror in the tags. I loved the bits of Slavic mythology, that was so intriguing and captivating. It actually made me want to dig up and read more about the topic. At some point, I even found myself looking for pictures of pierogis and then craving some. Too bad I don't have those around hah.
It's been a long time since I've read horror and this book reminded me why I love it. The author really managed to set the dark tone and ambience. I couldn't put this down at all, that's why I finished it so quickly.
Another thing that I liked was that this prelude not only is pure unadulterated horror and graphic scenes but there were moments that managed to make me laugh along with the characters, some scenes that made me gasp, and yeah, others just made me stare in horror at the screen. So good.
The witch was so well written because every time she made an appearance I tried to prepare myself for what was about to happen (and failed awfully). She's so creepy and disgusting.
“I put the knob in your hand, but you could not open the door. Now you find a different door.”
The way it was solved was also so original in my opinion? I was not expecting any of it, it surprised me in a good way. I found it refreshing.
I'm so thankful I received this ARC. I will be definitely looking forward to the next part in the series!
September 28, 2021
ANIELA by William Presley is a dark tale about a young man that crosses paths with a dark entity. When she promises to help him, he falls for it. Can he get out from under her control before it’s too late?
As the prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook Series, this novella is sure to hook readers and make them eagerly await the series to come!
ANIELA was an awesome read in itself and such a great set up for a series! It was written in a way that is sure to hook readers and keep them guessing at what will happen next. This author also doesn’t shy away from dark and brutal scenes, so readers will cringe while reading as quickly as they can to see a particular scene through.
I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here and what trip the author takes readers on!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/novel...
As the prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook Series, this novella is sure to hook readers and make them eagerly await the series to come!
ANIELA was an awesome read in itself and such a great set up for a series! It was written in a way that is sure to hook readers and keep them guessing at what will happen next. This author also doesn’t shy away from dark and brutal scenes, so readers will cringe while reading as quickly as they can to see a particular scene through.
I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here and what trip the author takes readers on!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/novel...
August 6, 2021
What if Fairytales are true…
ANIELA: Prelude To The Apprentice's Notebook Series by William Presley
Slavic folklore/fairytale horror story in present day Ann Arbor Michigan.
Sam Valente, creative writing major is interested in the unknown. But something is missing. Somehow empty inside he is always looking for something to complete him. Initially lured in by the promise of inspiration on the afterlife. Who better to ask than the dead born again?
Aniela blurs the lines between real and imaginary like you’re living in an inescapable dark fairy tale. One that she gets to write. I hold the pen! You do what I tell you, you kill who I tell you, she says.
Aniela forces Sam to enact her fantasies of murder and mutilation. If he does not do what she wants, someone he cares about will meet with a horrible death. So, Sam’s only choice is to selectively choose someone to die until he can save himself.
This leads him to seek a priest for confession who in turns refers him to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Emery Loudon. Dr. Loudon specializes in the supernatural.
Together, they must stop her before more people die, but will they?
Delightfully sinister take on Polish folk lore. The book wouldn’t be any more fun, unless it were real. It’s everything your grandma warned you about if you misbehaved, dark, creepy, and thrilling. Aniela is easy to read, fast paced and short, maybe too short. Couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend reading, even buying to keep on your shelf for late night reading.
️ ️ ️ ️ ️
#Horror
#Folktales
#Thriller
#Mythology
ANIELA: Prelude To The Apprentice's Notebook Series by William Presley
Slavic folklore/fairytale horror story in present day Ann Arbor Michigan.
Sam Valente, creative writing major is interested in the unknown. But something is missing. Somehow empty inside he is always looking for something to complete him. Initially lured in by the promise of inspiration on the afterlife. Who better to ask than the dead born again?
Aniela blurs the lines between real and imaginary like you’re living in an inescapable dark fairy tale. One that she gets to write. I hold the pen! You do what I tell you, you kill who I tell you, she says.
Aniela forces Sam to enact her fantasies of murder and mutilation. If he does not do what she wants, someone he cares about will meet with a horrible death. So, Sam’s only choice is to selectively choose someone to die until he can save himself.
This leads him to seek a priest for confession who in turns refers him to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Emery Loudon. Dr. Loudon specializes in the supernatural.
Together, they must stop her before more people die, but will they?
Delightfully sinister take on Polish folk lore. The book wouldn’t be any more fun, unless it were real. It’s everything your grandma warned you about if you misbehaved, dark, creepy, and thrilling. Aniela is easy to read, fast paced and short, maybe too short. Couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend reading, even buying to keep on your shelf for late night reading.
️ ️ ️ ️ ️
#Horror
#Folktales
#Thriller
#Mythology
August 9, 2021
I read this book in one sitting. Aniela by William Presley is an incredibly riveting and brilliant supernatural horror story.
This novella is about a college student encountering a type of demon, but “demon” does not equal occult in this tale. Aniela has a more folklore horror leaning, with elements of psychological horror as well … presumably there to torture me into verbal outbursts while I’m reading. In my defense, it is an evocative story.
It is also a complex story with a unique storyline and some great characters. The dialogue is clever and there’s some fantastic dark humor spread throughout as well. It’s well-written. It’s also gruesome, not brutally graphic, but definitely gruesome.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from William Presley. I like his style and creativity. Luckily, this story appears to be the prelude to a series about the main character. Can’t wait!
This novella is about a college student encountering a type of demon, but “demon” does not equal occult in this tale. Aniela has a more folklore horror leaning, with elements of psychological horror as well … presumably there to torture me into verbal outbursts while I’m reading. In my defense, it is an evocative story.
It is also a complex story with a unique storyline and some great characters. The dialogue is clever and there’s some fantastic dark humor spread throughout as well. It’s well-written. It’s also gruesome, not brutally graphic, but definitely gruesome.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from William Presley. I like his style and creativity. Luckily, this story appears to be the prelude to a series about the main character. Can’t wait!
July 21, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this novella/prelude to review.
I absolutely love folktales and horror, this short story combines the two together wonderfully.
I was sucked in from the gruesome beginning, and it held my attention all the way through until the ending. However,I was looking for more disturbing scenes after an opening like that, and it seems like that's the worst that happens. Maybe I'm so used to horror now that the other parts didn't phase me like they should have. But after such a strong opening, the rest fell slightly flat in the blood and gore department.
I still fully enjoyed the entire book though, it gave me all the creepy feelings you're looking for in a good horror story. Especially with the descriptions of the witch, but the descriptive writing in general earns a solid A+ from me!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, yet exciting folk horror story!!
I absolutely love folktales and horror, this short story combines the two together wonderfully.
I was sucked in from the gruesome beginning, and it held my attention all the way through until the ending. However,I was looking for more disturbing scenes after an opening like that, and it seems like that's the worst that happens. Maybe I'm so used to horror now that the other parts didn't phase me like they should have. But after such a strong opening, the rest fell slightly flat in the blood and gore department.
I still fully enjoyed the entire book though, it gave me all the creepy feelings you're looking for in a good horror story. Especially with the descriptions of the witch, but the descriptive writing in general earns a solid A+ from me!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, yet exciting folk horror story!!
August 7, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
WOW!! What a thrilling ride.
This book was well written, good character development and kept me on the edge of my seat.
My only negative was that the ending felt somewhat rushed, dropping the rating from 5* to 4.5*
WOW!! What a thrilling ride.
This book was well written, good character development and kept me on the edge of my seat.
My only negative was that the ending felt somewhat rushed, dropping the rating from 5* to 4.5*
February 7, 2022
Sam is a college kid who decides to take a stroll down memory lane. He goes to the run down neighborhood where his great grandparents lived to see if their house is still standing. While there he sees a peculiar old woman at the house next door eyeing his every move. She looks like the witch, Aniela that his great grandmother told him about, but he’s still willing to go talk to her.
This conversation sends Sam on a chaotic whirlwind that he must fight to get out of. Can he fight Aniela before she takes more than he bargained for?
William Presley has woven a fantastic tale that incorporates Polish folklore and witchcraft. I loved this story. I was surprised how much I loved it although it lacked the typical Splatterpunk that I normally read. I felt it was put together very well and flowed flawlessly. Well done Mr. Presley!
Aniela is a prelude to The Apprentice’s Notebook Series. I have to check that series out because I loved this one so much.
This conversation sends Sam on a chaotic whirlwind that he must fight to get out of. Can he fight Aniela before she takes more than he bargained for?
William Presley has woven a fantastic tale that incorporates Polish folklore and witchcraft. I loved this story. I was surprised how much I loved it although it lacked the typical Splatterpunk that I normally read. I felt it was put together very well and flowed flawlessly. Well done Mr. Presley!
Aniela is a prelude to The Apprentice’s Notebook Series. I have to check that series out because I loved this one so much.
September 6, 2021
I’m not usually one for novellas, but this was refreshing. Horror, humor, and intriguing. Offbeat and captivating - the Slavic undertones and dark ambience was interesting. I will definitely continue the series. Looking forward to a longer version. You can’t quite prepare enough for the witchy antics even if you think you have.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2022
Salvatore “Sam” Valente’s curiosity in the otherworld gets the better of him when he meets Aniela, a diabolical shape-shifting demon, and becomes central to her depraved game. As the stakes become higher and the mutilated bodies pile up, Sam turns to Emery Loudon, a brilliant but maverick supernatural psychiatrist for help. But is it already too late?...
Aniela is a really solid horror story from a promising author that is rooted in Eastern European folklore and myth. There is a nicely reassuring, traditional feel to the narrative; the story is relayed in first person by Sam who capably carries the plot as Aniela’s unwitting victim.
Sam’s initial inquisitive naivety swiftly turns to abhorrent desperation, and his hopeless anguish is convincingly developed. Towards the end of the novel, he expresses an incredibly moving paragraph on the raw and enduring nature of grief.
Emery Loudon is wonderfully depicted; well-observed and full of surprise and depth. Some of the lesser characters were a little under-developed but the strong dynamic between Loudon and Sam negates this.
Mr Presley has been gruesomely imaginative with the descriptive imagery, it’s pretty visceral and brutal but entirely necessary to the tale. It does not become gratuitously blood-splattered and, consequently, is authentically creepy and terrifying. There is a touch of the Gothic to Aniela and this is both complemented and emphasised by the Slavic vibe running through the story.
Occasionally, the narrative could have done with a tighter construct, it sometimes feels fractured, and there are a few credibility stretches. However, this slight disjointedness reflects Sam’s tortured mental state, and the intense, swirling nature of the malevolent force surrounding him.
Aniela is a darkly atmospheric and ghoulish tale that presages well for further reads involving Sam and Emery. Highly recommended.
Aniela is a really solid horror story from a promising author that is rooted in Eastern European folklore and myth. There is a nicely reassuring, traditional feel to the narrative; the story is relayed in first person by Sam who capably carries the plot as Aniela’s unwitting victim.
Sam’s initial inquisitive naivety swiftly turns to abhorrent desperation, and his hopeless anguish is convincingly developed. Towards the end of the novel, he expresses an incredibly moving paragraph on the raw and enduring nature of grief.
Emery Loudon is wonderfully depicted; well-observed and full of surprise and depth. Some of the lesser characters were a little under-developed but the strong dynamic between Loudon and Sam negates this.
Mr Presley has been gruesomely imaginative with the descriptive imagery, it’s pretty visceral and brutal but entirely necessary to the tale. It does not become gratuitously blood-splattered and, consequently, is authentically creepy and terrifying. There is a touch of the Gothic to Aniela and this is both complemented and emphasised by the Slavic vibe running through the story.
Occasionally, the narrative could have done with a tighter construct, it sometimes feels fractured, and there are a few credibility stretches. However, this slight disjointedness reflects Sam’s tortured mental state, and the intense, swirling nature of the malevolent force surrounding him.
Aniela is a darkly atmospheric and ghoulish tale that presages well for further reads involving Sam and Emery. Highly recommended.
October 8, 2021
‘There is something so dark, and yet so fantastical, about a Slavic fairytale. It tugs at our morbid sensibilities, begging us to read on. . .’
‘He didn’t know her name; he didn’t know any of his victims’ names. That made killing them easier…Yet, he couldn’t stop. Shewouldn’t let him.’
‘“She blurs the line between real and imaginary. She isolates you, makes you feel like you’re living in a sort of… unescapable fairy tale. A very dark fairy tale. One that she gets to write.”’
ANIELA Prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook Series is the first book that I have read by William Presley; I look forward to reading the entire series.
The story idea as a whole I Love, though it left me with questions, specifically regarding the end—meant to tie into the beginning—didn’t quite fit together.
The opening scene is perfection that pulled me into the story immediately—followed by moments that had me gasping in surprise.
Thank you, William Presley and Little Demon Books for providing me with an eBook of ANIELA: Prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook at the request of an honest review.
August 9, 2022
A young man crosses paths with a creepy old woman and decides to follow his desire for vengeance. Bad idea? You bet! I liked the fresh elements of Slavic horror here because the storyline itself is quite predictable. The main character comes across as younger than he is, and some of the dialogue feels too simple. But I enjoyed the fast pace and how everything flowed. Major props for the book's willingness to tread in dark places through the grisly depictions of witchcraft and the human costs of everything that happened. If this is just a prelude, I'm looking forward to seeing the main event!
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
October 10, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a wonderful novella! My one complaint? I would love this to have been longer . . .
This story made me squirm where it needed to & revved up to a gloriously satisfying ending perfect for this genre. I would have liked a little bit more in the way of character building but I understand that would be hard as this is a novella. I also would like to have been given more insight into slavic mythology. As this is a prelude to a series, I may yet see this & and very much looking forward to start of these stories to come.
What a wonderful novella! My one complaint? I would love this to have been longer . . .
This story made me squirm where it needed to & revved up to a gloriously satisfying ending perfect for this genre. I would have liked a little bit more in the way of character building but I understand that would be hard as this is a novella. I also would like to have been given more insight into slavic mythology. As this is a prelude to a series, I may yet see this & and very much looking forward to start of these stories to come.
March 2, 2022
This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. I felt every emotion. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a GREAT read!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 23, 2021
Overall, this was a good debut. Excited to see where the author goes with the series.
The opening scene specifically was pretty gruesome and had me intrigued. I think because of its length this story had a lot more telling than finding out which I’m not the biggest fan of overall, but I get that it was trying to establish the horror rules of this story.
I think for me there were a few places where this fell short, specifically the lose connection of the prologue and ending.
Some of the humour also fell short for me ex. Jokes about looking at a dead lady’s vagina, tearing apart literary fiction etc.
The author also felt very written into his character, not to say that’s a bad thing, it was just very obvious the MC was meant to mimic the author: university major change, guy writes horror stories, always wanted to write a book etc.
I received an ARC from book sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The opening scene specifically was pretty gruesome and had me intrigued. I think because of its length this story had a lot more telling than finding out which I’m not the biggest fan of overall, but I get that it was trying to establish the horror rules of this story.
I think for me there were a few places where this fell short, specifically the lose connection of the prologue and ending.
Some of the humour also fell short for me ex. Jokes about looking at a dead lady’s vagina, tearing apart literary fiction etc.
The author also felt very written into his character, not to say that’s a bad thing, it was just very obvious the MC was meant to mimic the author: university major change, guy writes horror stories, always wanted to write a book etc.
I received an ARC from book sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews